Surgical stapling device with laser probe

ABSTRACT

A tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly or a heating assembly along with an anvil assembly, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a working member and a laser probe that is pivotally supported on the working member and emits a laser beam. The laser probe is positioned between the cartridge and anvil assemblies such that the laser beam extends across a tissue gap of the tool assembly when the tool assembly is in the clamped position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/071,073 filed on Aug. 27, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

This disclosure is directed to surgical stapling devices and, more particularly, to surgical stapling devices including a tool assembly having a cutting assembly for cutting tissue.

BACKGROUND

Surgical stapling devices for simultaneously cutting and stapling tissue are known in the art and are commonly used during surgical procedures to reduce the time required to perform the surgical procedure and to facilitate endoscopic access to a surgical site. Performing a surgical procedure endoscopically reduces the amount of trauma inflicted on a patient during a surgical procedure to minimize patient discomfort and reduce patient recovery times.

Typically, endoscopic stapling devices include a tool assembly having a first jaw and a second jaw that can pivot in relation to the first jaw between an open or spaced position and a closed or clamped position. One of the jaws supports a cartridge assembly that includes a plurality of staples and the other jaw supports an anvil assembly that includes an anvil plate that includes staple deforming pockets that receive and deform legs of the staples when the staples are ejected from the staple cartridge. The cartridge assembly also includes a knife blade to cut or transect tissue clamped between the jaws.

Surgical instruments including a knife blade present the risk of clinicians accidentally cutting themselves on the knife blade when handling the surgical instruments, especially when using surgical stapling devices that require removal and replacement of the cartridge assembly. A continuing need exists for a surgical stapling device that minimizes the risk to a clinician of accidental cutting by the knife blade of the surgical stapling device.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a tool assembly including a cartridge assembly having a staple cartridge that supports a plurality of staples. The cartridge assembly defines an elongated slot and is coupled to an anvil assembly by a pivot member to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between open and clamped positions. The tool assembly defines a tissue gap between the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly when the tool assembly is in the clamped position. The drive assembly includes a drive beam having proximal and distal ends and a working member supported on the distal end of the drive beam. The working member includes an upper beam, a lower beam, and a vertical strut interconnecting the upper beam and the lower beam. The drive assembly is moveable to move the working member through the tool assembly to eject the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge. The working member supports a laser probe that is positioned to emit a laser beam across the tissue gap as the working member moves through the tool assembly to cut tissue positioned within the tissue gap.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a tool assembly including a cartridge assembly having a staple cartridge that supports a plurality of staples. The cartridge assembly defines an elongated slot and is coupled to an anvil assembly by a pivot member to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between open and clamped positions. The tool assembly defines a tissue gap between the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly when the tool assembly is in the clamped position. The drive assembly includes a drive beam having proximal and distal ends and a working member supported on the distal end of the drive beam. The working member includes an upper beam, a lower beam, and a vertical strut interconnecting the upper beam and the lower beam. The vertical strut defines a recess that extends across the tissue gap. A blade is supported within the recess and extends across the tissue gap when the tool assembly is in the clamped position. The recess also supports a laser probe that is adapted to emit a laser beam within the recess across the tissue gap.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a tool assembly includes a heating assembly that defines an elongated slot and has one or more heating pads arranged on either side of the elongated slot. The heating assembly is coupled to an anvil assembly by a pivot member to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between open and clamped positions. The tool assembly defines a tissue gap between the heating assembly and the anvil assembly when the tool assembly is in the clamped position. The drive assembly includes a drive beam having proximal and distal ends and a working member supported on the distal end of the drive beam. The working member includes an upper beam, a lower beam, and a vertical strut interconnecting the upper beam and the lower beam. The drive assembly is moveable to move the working member through the tool assembly. The working member supports a laser probe that is positioned to emit a laser beam across the tissue gap as the working member is moved through the tool assembly to cut tissue positioned within the tissue gap.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure, the vertical strut defines a recess and the laser probe is supported on the working member to emit the laser beam across the recess.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a control line connects the laser probe to a handle assembly and the control line is partially embedded in the working member.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a sensor is disposed in the recess that detects the laser beam when the laser beam is emitted from the laser probe.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the recess of the vertical strut has an open distal end that receives tissue positioned within the tissue gap.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the blade extends between the top and bottom ends of the recess.

In another aspect of the disclosure the blade is arcuate and convex.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a pair of bipolar heating pads is arranged on either side of the elongated slot.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the heating assembly is fixed in place and the anvil assembly is moveable to move the tool assembly between the open and clamped positions.

Other features of the disclosure will be appreciated from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the disclosed surgical stapling device are described herein below with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an exemplary aspect of the disclosed surgical stapling device with a tool assembly of the stapling device in an open position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an exemplary aspect of the disclosed surgical stapling device with a tool assembly in an open position;

FIG. 3A is a side perspective view of a drive assembly of the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 1 with a laser probe;

FIG. 3B is a side perspective view of an alternate working member for the drive assembly shown in FIG. 3A with a laser probe;

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of a drive assembly engaged with a working member shown in FIG. 3A illustrating engagement between a laser beam and tissue clamped between the jaws of the tool assembly during the firing process;

FIG. 4A is a side perspective view of an aspect of a drive assembly of a surgical stapling device with a laser probe and a blade;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a drive assembly engaged with the working member shown in FIG. 4A illustrating engagement between a laser beam and blade combination and the tissue clamped between the jaws of the tool assembly during the firing process;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged perspective view of jaw members of a tool assembly in an open position;

FIG. 5B is an enlarged perspective view of an alternate for the tool assembly shown in FIG. 5A, also in an open position;

FIG. 6A is a side perspective view of a drive assembly of the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 5 with a laser probe; and

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a drive assembly engaged with the working member shown in FIG. 6A illustrating engagement between a laser beam and tissue clamped between the jaws of the tool assembly during the firing process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed surgical stapling device will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. However, it is to be understood that aspects of the disclosure described herein are merely exemplary of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. In addition, directional terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, top, bottom, distal, proximal, and similar terms are used to assist in understanding the description and are not intended to limit the disclosure.

In this description, the term “proximal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is closer to a clinician, while the term “distal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is farther from the clinician. In addition, the term “endoscopic” is generally used to refer to endoscopic, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and/or any other procedure conducted through small diameter incision or cannula. Further, the term “clinician” is used generally to refer to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, and support personnel.

FIGS. 1-6B illustrate various aspects of the disclosed surgical stapling device shown generally as stapling device 10. The stapling device 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a handle assembly 12, an elongate body 14, and a tool assembly 16. The elongate body 14 defines a longitudinal axis “X” and includes a proximal portion supported on the handle assembly 12 and a distal portion that supports the tool assembly 16. In some aspects of the disclosure, the tool assembly 16 forms part of a disposable loading unit 18 that includes the tool assembly 16 and a proximal body portion 18 a. In certain aspects of the disclosure, the proximal body portion 18 a includes a distal portion that supports the tool assembly 16 and a proximal portion that is adapted to be selectively coupled to and uncoupled from the distal portion of the elongate body 14. In other aspects of the disclosure, the tool assembly 16 is fixedly secured to the distal portion of the elongate body 14.

FIG. 1 illustrates the handle assembly 12 of the stapling device 10 which includes a stationary handle 20 and a firing trigger 22 that is movable in relation to the stationary handle 20 to actuate the tool assembly 16, i.e., approximate the tool assembly 16 and fire staples. As illustrated, the firing trigger 22 is pivotably supported adjacent the stationary handle 20 and is manually movable through an actuation stroke to actuate the tool assembly 16. It is envisioned that the stapling device 10 can include an electrically powered handle assembly or, alternately, be adapted to be coupled to a robotically controlled system. In some aspects of the disclosure, the handle assembly 12 supports a rotation knob 26 that supports an articulation lever 28. The rotation knob 26 is supported on a distal portion of the handle assembly 12 and supports the elongate body 14 such that rotation of the rotation knob 26 in relation to the handle assembly 12 causes rotation of the elongate body 14 about the longitudinal axis “X”. The articulation lever 28 is movably supported on the rotation knob 26 to articulate the tool assembly 16 from a position aligned with the longitudinal axis “X” of the elongate body 14 and positions misaligned with the longitudinal axis “X” of the elongate body 14. For a more detailed description of a stapling device including many of the components described above, see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361 (“the '361 patent”).

FIG. 2 illustrates the tool assembly 16 which includes a first jaw 30 that supports a cartridge assembly 31, a second jaw 32 that supports an anvil assembly 33, and a drive assembly 34 (FIG. 3A). The cartridge assembly 31 and the anvil assembly 33 are secured together with a pivot member or pin 36 (FIG. 3C) to pivot in relation to each other such that the tool assembly 16 can move between an open position and a clamped position (not shown). In the clamped position, the cartridge assembly 31 and the anvil assembly 33 define a tissue gap “G” (FIG. 3C). In aspects of the disclosure, the anvil assembly 33 can pivot about the pivot pin 36 in relation to the cartridge assembly 31 and the elongate body 14, and the cartridge assembly 31 is stationary in relation to the elongate body 14.

The cartridge assembly 31 includes a channel 31 a and a staple cartridge 42 that is received within the channel 31 a. In further aspects, the staple cartridge 42 is removable from the channel to allow for replacement of spent or used staple cartridges 42 to facilitate reuse of the stapling device 10. The cartridge assembly 31 further defines an elongated slot 41. Similarly, the anvil assembly 33 defines an elongated slot 43. The elongated slots 41, 43 facilitate passage of a distal portion of the drive assembly 34 through the cartridge and anvil assemblies 31, 33. For a more detailed description of various components of the cartridge assembly 31 and the anvil assembly 33, see the '361 patent.

FIGS. 3A-6B illustrate the drive assembly 34 which includes a flexible drive beam 50 and a working member 52. The working member 52 includes a first beam 56, a second beam 54, and a vertical strut 58 that extends between and supports the upper and lower beams 56, 54. The vertical strut 58 defines a recess 90 having an open distal end that is positioned between the first beam 56 and the second beam 58. The working member 52 is movable through the tool assembly 16 such that the first and second beams 56 and 54 engage the first and second jaws 30 and 32 to move the first and second jaws 30 and 32 between the open and clamped positions. When the working member 52 is moved through the tool assembly 16, the recess 90 in the vertical strut 58 extends across the tissue gap “G” to receive tissue clamped between the cartridge and anvil assemblies 31 and 33. For a detailed description of the operation of the working member 52 of the drive assembly 34, see the '361 patent.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the tool assembly 16 can be rotated 360 degrees about its central axis via the rotation knob 26 such that the relative positioning of the first and second jaws 30 and 32 can be inverted, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The vertical strut 58 of the working member 52 includes an upper portion 60 and a lower portion 62. The working member 52 also supports a laser probe 70 that is directed across the recess of the vertical strut 58. The recess 90 is defined by the upper and lower portions 60 and 62 of the vertical strut 58. In some aspects of the disclosure, the laser probe 70 is supported in the lower portion 62 (FIG. 3 a ) of the vertical strut 58, however it is envisioned that the laser probe 70 could be supported in the upper portion 60 (FIG. 3 b ) of the vertical strut 58. In both configurations, the laser probe 70 is pointed in a direction to project a beam across the recess 90 into the other of the upper or lower portions 60, 62 of the vertical strut 58.

A control line 96, e.g. a fiber optic cable, extends through the vertical strut 58 to deliver power to the laser probe 70. In aspects of the disclosure, the control line 96 can be partially embedded in the working member 52 of the drive assembly 34 and operably connected to a power source coupled to or supported within the handle assembly 12 (FIG. 1 ).

FIG. 3C illustrates the tool assembly 16 of the stapling device 10 during the firing process. The tool assembly 16 is shown in the clamped position compressing tissue “T” between anvil assembly 33 and cartridge assembly 31. As shown, the laser probe 70 is supported on the upper portion 60 of the vertical strut 58 of the working member 52 and is directed across the recess 90. The flexible drive beam 50 is shown in a partially advanced position with the working member 52 positioned within the tool assembly 16. While being driven through cartridge assembly 31, the recess 90 is positioned to extend across the tissue gap “G” defined between the cartridge and anvil assemblies 31 and 33 such that the tissue “T” is received within the recess 90 with the laser probe 70 directed at the tissue “T”. This configuration allows the laser probe 70 which is supported on the upper portion 60 of the vertical strut to emit a laser beam 72 towards the lower portion 62 of the vertical strut 58 through the tissue “T” within the recess 90 as the working member 52 is translated through the tool assembly 16. Conversely, if the laser probe 70 were to be supported on the lower portion 62 of the vertical strut, as shown in FIG. 3B, the laser beam 72 is emitted towards the upper portion 60 of the vertical strut 58 to slice through the tissue “T” within the recess 90 as the working member 52 is translated through the tool assembly 16.

As illustrated in FIG. 3C, the laser probe 70 is positioned proximally of an actuation sled 80 within the cartridge assembly 31. The actuation sled 80 is advanced via engagement with the working member 52 through the tool assembly 16 and is positioned distally of the laser probe 70 to staple the tissue “T” prior to cutting the tissue “T” with the laser probe 70. For a detailed description of the operation of the actuation sled 80, see the '361 patent. After the stapling device 10 is fired, power to the laser probe 70 can be removed to prevent injury to a clinician during disposable or replacement of the cartridge assembly 31.

In other aspects of the disclosure, a sensor 74 can be installed in the recess 90 to detect emission of laser beam 72. The sensor 74 can be used to deactivate laser probe 70, measure intensity of emitted laser beam 72, or to indicate to a clinician that the laser probe 70 is actively emitting laser beam 74.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a working member 52 of drive assembly 34 having a similar configuration to the drive assembly 34 shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C with the addition of a surgical blade 76 that spans the length of recess 90. Facing distally outward, the surgical blade 76 is positioned such that when the stapling device 10 is fired, the laser beam 72 emitted by the laser probe 70 will engage the compressed tissue “T” first, and the surgical blade 76 follows behind to provide redundancy to ensure that tissue “T” is cleanly cut. The redundancy provided by the surgical blade 76 also ensures that even in the event that the laser probe 70 loses functionality unexpectedly, the clinician would still be able to use the tool assembly 16 to clamp down, cut tissue “T”, and seal the patient's tissue “T”. In certain aspects of the disclosure, the surgical blade 76 has a curved concave cutting edge.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate other exemplary aspects of the disclosed tool assembly shown generally as tool assembly 116. Here, a heating assembly 100 including a plurality of electrically conductive heating pads 102 is used in place of the cartridge assembly 31 including deformable staples (not shown) to seal the tissue “T” when dissected. The electrically conductive pads 102 are arranged on either side of the elongated slots 41, 43 and conduct electrosurgical energy through the compressed tissue “T” to create a seal in the tissue “T”. In other aspects, the electrically conductive heating pads 102 can be bipolar or monopolar, and can be positioned on the lower jaw 30, the second jaw 32, or both.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the working member 52 including the laser probe 70 (FIG. 4 a ) can be used with the heating assembly 100 to cut or transect the tissue “T”. The electrically conductive heating pads 102 compress and coagulate the tissue “T” to seal the tissue “T” without a need for mechanical staples to be deployed before the tissue “T” is cut with the laser probe 70. As such, this configuration circumvents the need to remove and reinstall replacement staple cartridges or replacement surgical blades to facilitate reuse of the surgical device.

Although the disclosed working member 52 of the drive assembly 34 of the tool assembly 16 is illustrated to include laser probe 70 disposed in a recess 90, it is envisioned that the working member may include no recess 90 and instead only consist of either a lower beam 62 or an upper beam 60, such that emitted laser beam 72 is free to slice through to the opposing jaw member. In such configurations the sensor 74 may take the form an elongated strip installed along the length of the opposing jaw, the sensor 74 will simultaneously act as a buffer preventing emitted laser beam 72 from damaging the adjacent tissue. For example, the elongated sensor strip may be disposed within the elongated slot 43 of the anvil assembly 33 as shown in FIG. 2 , such that the emitted laser beam 74 can be detected at any point along the length of the elongated slot 43.

Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects of the disclosure. It is envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary aspect of the disclosure may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure based on the above-described aspects. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tool assembly comprising: a cartridge assembly including a staple cartridge supporting a plurality of staples, the staple cartridge defining an elongated slot; an anvil assembly coupled to the cartridge assembly by a pivot member to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between open and clamped positions, the tool assembly defining a tissue gap between the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly when the tool assembly is in the clamped position; a drive assembly including a drive beam having proximal and distal ends and a working member supported on the distal end of the drive beam, the drive assembly configured to move the working member through the tool assembly to eject the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge; and a laser probe supported on the working member and positioned to emit a laser beam across the tissue gap as the working member is moved through the tool assembly to cut tissue positioned within the tissue gap.
 2. The tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the working member includes an upper beam, a lower beam, and a vertical strut interconnecting the upper beam and the lower beam.
 3. The tool assembly of claim 2, wherein the vertical strut defines a recess and the laser probe is supported on the working member to emit the laser beam across the recess.
 4. The tool assembly of claim 3, further including a control line adapted to operably connect the laser probe to a power source, the control line being partially embedded in the working member.
 5. The tool assembly of claim 4, further including a sensor disposed in the recess to detect the laser beam when the laser beam is emitted from the laser probe.
 6. The tool assembly of claim 5, wherein the sensor is configured to deactivate the laser probe.
 7. The tool assembly of claim 5, wherein the sensor is configured to measure the intensity of the emitted laser beam.
 8. The tool assembly of claim 5, wherein the sensor is configured to indicate that the laser probe is actively emitting the laser beam.
 9. A tool assembly comprising: a cartridge assembly including a staple cartridge supporting a plurality of staples, the staple cartridge defining an elongated slot; an anvil assembly coupled to the cartridge assembly by a pivot member to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between open and clamped positions, the tool assembly defining a tissue gap between the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly when the tool assembly is in the clamped position; a drive assembly including a drive beam having proximal and distal ends and a working member supported on the distal end of the drive beam, the working member including an upper beam, a lower beam, and a vertical strut interconnecting the upper beam and the lower beam, the vertical strut defining a recess that extends across the tissue gap when the tool assembly is in the clamped position; a blade supported within the recess of the vertical strut, the blade extending across the tissue gap when the tool assembly is in the clamped position; and a laser probe disposed within the recess, the laser probe adapted to emit a laser beam within the recess across the tissue gap.
 10. The tool assembly of claim 9, wherein the recess of the vertical strut has an open distal end to receive tissue positioned within the tissue gap.
 11. The tool assembly of claim 10, further including a control line connecting the laser probe to a handle assembly, the control line being partially embedded in the working member.
 12. The tool assembly of claim 11, further including a sensor disposed in the recess to detect the laser beam when emitted the laser beam is emitted from the laser probe.
 13. The tool assembly of claim 12, wherein the blade extends between the top and bottom ends of the recess.
 14. The tool assembly of claim 13, wherein the blade is arcuate and convex.
 15. A tool assembly comprising: a heating assembly defining an elongate slot and including one or more heating pads arranged on either side of the elongated slot; an anvil assembly coupled to the heating assembly by a pivot member to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between open and clamped positions, the tool assembly defining a tissue gap between the heating assembly and the anvil assembly when the tool assembly is in the clamped position; a drive assembly including a drive beam having proximal and distal ends and a working member supported on the distal end of the drive beam, the working member including an upper beam, a lower beam, and a vertical strut interconnecting the upper beam and the lower beam, the drive assembly being moveable to move the working member through the tool assembly; and a laser probe supported on the working member and positioned to emit a laser beam across the tissue gap as the working member is moved through the tool assembly to cut tissue positioned within the tissue gap.
 16. The tool assembly of claim 15, wherein the vertical strut defines a recess and the laser probe is supported to emit the laser beam across the recess.
 17. The tool assembly of claim 16, further including a control line connecting the laser probe to a handle assembly, the control line being partially embedded in the vertical strut.
 18. The tool assembly of claim 17, further including a sensor disposed in the recess to detect the laser beam when emitted from the laser probe.
 19. The tool assembly of claim 18, wherein the sensor is configured to measure the intensity of the emitted laser beam.
 20. The tool assembly of claim 17, further including a pair of bipolar heating pads are arranged on either side of the elongated slot. 